--- title: "C4 Corvette ZR-1 Rescued After Sitting 20 Years in English Backyard" description: "This farmer's imported C4-generation Corvette ZR-1 was unloved for 20 years before two enthusiasts bought it." date: "2024-04-29" modified: "2024-04-29" authors: - name: "Nico DeMattia" job_title: "Contributing Writer" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/nico-demattia" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/c4-corvette-zr-1-rescued-after-sitting-20-years-in-english-backyard" categories: - "Culture" - "News" --- # C4 Corvette ZR-1 Rescued After Sitting 20 Years in English Backyard ![]() *The Late Brake Show* The [Late Brake Show]() is chock full of rare and interesting barn finds. However, this latest episode features what could be the most interesting car that host Jonny Smith has ever shown us: a C4-generation [Corvette ZR-1](). In 1990, Chevrolet created the fastest and most dominant sports car it had ever made up until that point. The ZR-1 wasn't just a Corvette with some added power; it was a genuine world-beater, capable of taking down the likes of Ferrari and Porsche for half the price. And, it did so by means of an unusual partnership for GM. ![]() **Corvette ZR-1. Chevrolet** Rather than stuffing a massive pushrod V8 lump under the hood and supercharging it for more power, Chevy actually outsourced its engine for the first and only time in Corvette history. Under the hood of the ZR-1 lay not a typical single-overhead-cam V8 but a dual-overhead-cam, 32-valve, aluminum-block mill designed by [Lotus](). See, GM owned Lotus back then, and hired the Brits to design the engine, internally known as the LT5. However, since Lotus lacked the manufacturing capabilities to actually build it, the design was sent over to Mercury Marine, the boat engine maker, who built the LT5 for GM. That unusual combination of Lotus design, Mercury Marine manufacturing, and GM's wallet made an incredible engine that didn't feel or sound anything like Corvette engines before it. Early model cars made 375 horsepower, but later model ZR-1s made 405 horsepower. It wasn't just a killer engine stuffed into a ho-hum Corvette, though. It had the same Bilstein FX3 suspension as the [Porsche 959](), just with modifications from the Lotus F1 team. It also had beefier brakes and ZR-1-specific Goodyear Eagle tires. ![]() **The Late Brake Show** So how did such a unique and special American sports car end up in a driveway behind an Englishman's house? Farmer Will loves Corvettes, he's always loved Corvettes, and his ZR-1 was his fourth C4 Corvette. However, marriage, a busy life, and older age meant less and less time to drive the ZR-1, so it just sat there, in its backyard, for 20 years. Until two car enthusiasts decided to buy it from him. In the video, Smith talks to Will and tries to help the two new owners get it running. It's so cool to see the American exotic get some life breathed back into it, so far from its original home. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YCKQ8CtJTrk *Got tips? Send 'em to tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Nico is a writer and reviewer from New Jersey who probably thinks he’s a lot funnier than he actually is. His love of cars began when he was just a kid playing Gran Turismo 3, grinding out enough race wins with a Mazda Miata to save up for an in-game RUF 911. That passion for small, lightweight sports cars drove his desire to learn more about the industry, get his hands on as many cars as he could, and bring those experiences to life on the page. He cut his teeth writing about BMWs, Volkswagens, and Audis, mostly, and has owned far too many of each. He’s on his fourth 3 Series sedan, but all of his old, cheap German cars have forced him to learn more about car maintenance than his mechanical capability can handle. Too many late nights have been spent scrambling to get a car running by morning so he could get to work. For some reason, he never seems to learn that old Bimmers probably aren’t the best daily drivers. But he loves more than just old German cars. He’ll gladly drive and discuss anything with four (or even three) wheels. Cars aren’t his only passions, though. Nico is also a big nerd and loves movies, video games, comic books, and cares far too much about the New York Giants. So don’t be surprised if you see football references or dumb, obscure movie quotes in any of his car reviews. ### Author social links [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()